Glenn Reynolds Says

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Friday, April 02, 2010

New EPA mining rules Unclear

The new rules have left the mining industry unclear on their effect.

Ted Pile, spokesman for the Abingdon-based coal company Alpha Natural Resources, one of the nation’s largest, said it will take time for the industry to determine the full impact of the new rules, but it will affect all mining, underground as well as surface, and further slow an already-stalled permitting process.“There is a lot at stake here,” Pile said. “Because the EPA wants to make wholesale change to the ground rules we’ve abided by for years, businesses will be presented with uncertainty in future mine planning. As a consequence, it could lead to a major disruption of the reliability of fuel supply to power plants that rely on Appalachian coal.”Also, Pile said, the new rules could limit re-mining, which eliminates the scars of old surface mines from the landscape during the modern mining process.“What we’ve witnessed since the new EPA took over in Washington is an unprecedented attack on coal mining which is already one of the most heavily regulated industries in this country,” Pile said. “The EPA is not required to consider the devastating economic impacts its actions will cause on jobs, families and small businesses that sustain the coalfield economies. It’s unfortunate, but they can take unilateral action like this without having to factor in the consequences, which may be severe.”Link

Obama's promise to kill the coal industry and put thousands out of work has begun. The average American will also pay dearly. Higher energy costs will follow. The costs of road building and resurfacing will increase. These idiots don't understand stone quarry's are surface mines also. That gravel and asphalt price will increase.